Gov. Scott Pledges To Raise School Funding

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) — If Florida Gov. Rick Scott is re-elected, he’s promising to boost school funding to its highest levels.

“I am proud to announce that in the upcoming legislative session we will propose an increase in Florida’s per-pupil spending to the highest level in our state’s history,” said Gov. Scott in a statement. “We already have the highest total spending in K-12 this year and gave every teacher the opportunity for a pay raise. Because we were able to get Florida’s economy back on track, revenues are now projected to stay at a strong enough rate to support historic investments in education.”

Scott said he’ll recommend a roughly $700 million increase for public schools for 2015.

He’s making the announcement months before he is required to submit his recommendations to the Florida Legislature.

“Florida job growth, and the overall growth of Florida’s economy has made it possible for us invest record amounts in education. The credit for our historic investment in education goes to the hard working people of Florida who make it all possible,” said the Governor.

Scott is pledging to increase per-student funding to $7,176 which equates to a total of over $19.6 billion. It’s also a $232 per student increase over this school year.

But Scott’s move comes as main Democratic rival Charlie Crist continues to assail him over education budget cuts Scott endorsed during his first year in office. The state cut $1.3 billion from schools in 2011.

When he campaigned for office back in 2010 Scott vowed to cut government spending.